A Unique Crossover

Chapter71: Breaking free

I was still crouching on the cold title floor, sobbing into my forearms. I hate this day and everything bad about it, cursing it as witchcraft and not bad luck. Wanting this day to come to an end, wanting to bury myself in a hole and never climb out.

I felt that need even more when I caught footsteps softly moving towards me. Not wanting anyone to see me like this, crying after running away dramatically. I am suddenly embarrassed by my behavior and reaction. Causing me to squeeze my body tighter, slightly moving away, "Leave me alone, Aunt Gabriella. Just please, go away."

For a second, the footsteps stopped. Almost sensing someone kneeling before hearing, "I'm not your aunt."

I peek from the corner of my elbow to find David beside me. Keeping a small space between the two of us. Making me feel less anxious and angry, but then I turned away from him out of shame and humiliation.

Speaking with a small voice, "I'm so sorry for Aunt Gabriella's behavior. I never wanted things to turn out the way that they've had."

Sensing him move closer while still keeping the space between us. Allowing this soft, comforting energy fills the air around us. "Why was she here, and why was she so upset with you, Ariel?"

Angrily tightening my fists before saying, "According to her, I was supposed to be at the studio having Pageant practice for tomorrow night. But she never told me about it, I thought their nights were only on Sunday, and she was supposed to talk to your uncle to get me out of the team."

Immediately, my head up from my arms, realizing that I didn't stop her the second time. That she could have, she might have. . .

Grabbing David's hands with more tears running down my face, "Please tell me that she didn't speak to Coach Richard. Please, David, I don't want to leave the team, I don't want to stop playing soccer."

My mind flooded with thoughts of me packing my locker in the changing room. Giving up my team's kit and watching the team drive off to play in the tournament that's coming close. My breath became short and tight as the panic of these thoughts was bringing.

Everything that I've done, have worked hard for, everything that I've fought for would have been for nothing. It would become my greatest failure if I had to lose all of those things just to be part of a circus of judgment and coldness that I never wanted to be a part of.

Noticing the panic in my eyes and voice, David reacted accordingly. Staying calm as he reached out towards me, his hands moved out of mine as I was begging him.

Taking my face into them, speaking with a calm voice, "No one is leaving the team, Ariel. Your aunt put on one he'll of an argument, but Uncle Richie held firm and asked her to leave as a gentleman."

As reassuring as David sounds about his uncle standing up to my aunt, I know deep down that it wasn't the end. The thought made even more tears fall, "She won't leave it there. She'll come back and try harder again. She won't stop until she gets what she wants and that me being her perfect dress up doll."

Wiping the tears from my face, "That didn't happen, Ariel. Uncle Richie made it very clear that he's not gonna let you go, and you're gonna stay on the team unless you have a say in it, ok. He won't take you off, just because your aunt demands it. You're still a Knight, Anela."

As much as it brings some relief to the matter, I know deep down that it's not over for Cruella de Vil, "She's not gonna stop just there, she's gonna do everything she can think of to get me off the team. She'll go as far as get a lawyer involved, and the last thing I want is for your uncle or team to get into any kind of trouble or -"